The popular music genre is extremely diverse and has roots in the late 1890s but it was not until the 1920s until the term had gained currency. It is not simply a genre but is an important means of documenting the evolution of society through the decades and is at the mercy of its audience. Therefore, when analysing popular music, it is essential to study it from a broad perspective and take into consideration the environment in which it was written.
Shruker elaborates on this by stating, “The study of popular music embraces aesthetics and musicology, economics and sociology, and social psychology”. These factors are explored in this essay to trace the changing socio-cultural trends across the decades and their effects on musical style. The example of “Can’t Help Falling in Love” by Elvis Presley is employed to achieve this objective, as well as two cover versions by English Reggae and pop band UB40 and Swedish pop group A-Teens.
A detailed musical deconstruction of each song will be provided with an overview of the structure, lyrics, instruments and stylistic indictors, which place the song in its era. Furthermore, an in-depth exploration of the relevant era in which the song was written and recorded will be provided, including a brief background of the performer with regards to his appearance, presentation and promotional material. Ultimately, this essay will prove popular music to be a product of its socio-cultural environment.
Table of Contents
- Can't Help Falling in Love: Comparative analysis of original by Elvis Presley and cover versions by UB40 and A-Teens
- Elvis Presley's Can't Help Falling in Love
- Musical Deconstruction
- Live Performance Traits
- Background on Elvis Presley
- UB40's Cover Version
- Musical Deconstruction
- Live Performance Traits
- Socio-cultural Context
- A-Teens' Cover Version
- Musical Deconstruction
- Live Performance Traits
- Socio-cultural Context
Objectives and Key Themes
This essay aims to analyse the evolution of popular music across decades by examining the socio-cultural context in which the songs were written and performed. It uses the example of "Can't Help Falling in Love" by Elvis Presley and its cover versions by UB40 and A-Teens to illustrate how musical style and performance reflect the changing trends of each era.
- The influence of socio-cultural trends on popular music
- Musical deconstruction of each song, exploring its structure, lyrics, instruments, and stylistic indicators
- Analysis of the live performance traits of each artist, including dress, choreography, and use of stage elements
- Examination of the background of each performer, including their appearance, presentation, and promotional material
- How popular music serves as a product of its socio-cultural environment
Chapter Summaries
- Elvis Presley's Can't Help Falling in Love: This section provides a detailed musical analysis of the original recording of "Can't Help Falling in Love," examining its structure, lyrics, instruments, and rhythmic patterns. It also explores the song's place within the 1960s rock musical landscape, highlighting its connection to youth culture and the rise of rock 'n' roll.
- UB40's Cover Version: This section delves into the reggae-pop fusion style of UB40's cover version, analyzing the musical elements that distinguish it from the original. It examines the live performance traits of the band and how they reflect the laid-back and inclusive spirit of the 1990s.
- A-Teens' Cover Version: This section examines the musical and stylistic elements of A-Teens' cover version, focusing on its faster tempo, altered structure, and electronica influences. It analyzes the group's live performances and music videos, highlighting the trends of the early 2000s pop era.
Keywords
Popular music, socio-cultural trends, musical deconstruction, live performance, Elvis Presley, UB40, A-Teens, "Can't Help Falling in Love," rock 'n' roll, reggae-pop fusion, youth culture, 1960s, 1990s, early 2000s.
- Citar trabajo
- Kassidy-Rose McMahon (Autor), 2017, Comparative analysis of original by Elvis Presley and cover versions by UB40 and A-Teens, Múnich, GRIN Verlag, https://www.grin.com/document/369879
